"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).
Recently I ran across these "Jaw-dropping" stats about money and the average American in 2026:
1. The average credit card debt is: $6,371 2. The average savings account balance is: $2,812 3. The average person has $104,215 in total debt 4. The average retirement savings is $88,400 5. On average those between the ages of 65-74 have a median savings of $200,000 6. 62% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck 7. The average FICO credit score is: 715 8. The average person spends $314 a month eating out 9. Only 44% of Americans have a budget
That picture is rather bleak. And, what's worse is that many will be ok with these numbers because they are doing what everyone else is doing. They are in the "average" lane. Just like everyone else. Typical. Normal. Staying in the average lane may put you with a lot of people, but it's not going to get you out of that mess that you are currently in and it won't avoid a coming financial nightmare. Some serious changes need to take place. A person has to be different than average or normal if they want to manage their money well. They are going to do things differently than most people. They will have to have a plan and stick with that plan if they are ever going to move out of the average lane. Some hard choices must be made.
We see what this looks like on paper financially. But, the reality is, my house needs a new roof and I want to take a vacation and the kids need braces and the truck needs new brakes. So, we kick the financial goals and plans down the road, thinking that once we are through this little crisis, things will be better. But, as soon as these things clear up, the next storm comes rolling in. The dog needs surgery, summer camps, swim lessons, the carpet really needs to be replaced, and once again we kick the can down the road. As soon as this storm clears, we'll start saving. And, we begin to wonder if we can ever move out of the "average" lane. Some give up and think there is no hope. Some just don't want to think about it, so they don't. Somehow it will work out in the end is what some are hoping for. They don't know how or when or even have a plan, but things tend to just work out and that's what they are counting on.
And, sometimes it just takes a serious reality check to make the necessary changes that will move a person out of the typical, average lane of life financially. Sitting down and looking at the numbers on paper and seeing where all of this leads to and having serious conversations is the first steps.
Now, to your surprise, this article is not about finances. It's about our walk with the Lord. How easy it is to settle into the comfortable life of an "average Christian," doing typically what everyone else is doing. I've heard people describing themselves as "I'm just an ordinary member," or, "I'm a regular Christian." Excuse me! You are blood brought. You are part of the greatest kingdom in the world. You are a child of God. You are Heaven Bound. God is working in you, through you and with you. You have a fellowship with the greatest people on this planet, the people of God.
The Corinthians were told to be "always abounding in the work of the Lord." The Thessalonians were encouraged to "excel still more" in their walk with the Lord. In the great sermon on the mount, our Lord asked, "what more are you doing than others?" Timothy was encouraged to let his "progress be evident to all."
Here are some thoughts:
First, don't be content where you are spiritually. A car in idle or neutral, makes no progress. Some have parked their faith the day they came out of the baptistry. Progress has been stopped. They have grown little. They have done little. They attend on Sunday, just like the average Christian, and they are content to be just that, an average Christian. That ought to bother us. We ought to realize that our Lord is not average. God deserves the best that we can do.
Something is terribly wrong in a disciple's faith when they have to be begged, guilted, scolded to attend services for the Lord who died for them. Average won't cut it. Get both feet in the Kingdom and get busy. There are people to be encouraged. There are people who need help. There are people to teach. There are people to invite. We serve an extraordinary God. Let your faith be the same.
Second, stop looking around at what others are doing and you get busy doing what you know you should. Just doing enough to get into Heaven is a thought we have manufactured. You won't find that in the Scriptures. Get into God's book and lower the nets. Get into the fellowship of God's people and be a Barnabas. Be an Apollos, mighty in the Scriptures. Be a Titus, refreshing the spirits of others.
There really is not such thing as an Average Christian. Each of us, in our own unique way, with our own talents given by the Lord are busy doing wonderful things for the Lord. What I find in Scriptures are "dead" Christians, like at Sardis and "lukewarm" Christians, like at Laodicea. Typical. Average. That's not what you find in the Kingdom of God.
Third, realize that God has gone above and beyond for each of us. He has been so patient with us. He has blessed us better than we deserve. He has woven people into our lives that have made incredible differences to us. God is not average. God is not typical. He continues to amaze us. Shouldn't I go above and beyond for Him?
Just like with our finances, we may need to have some serious conversations about our walk with the Lord. We may need to make some real changes. We may need some help.
How are you doing?